Satan GH60 keymap configuration for physical HHKB layout

User avatar
Laser
emacs -nw

03 Oct 2016, 15:48

(a short post, to help those who find themselves in a similar situation;it just offers a - perhaps - more convenient starting point).

I managed to flash my Satan GH60 PCB, using the QMK firmware, on a physical layout that mimics exactly the HHKB layout (due to a HHKB-style cut metal plate - thanks, LeandreN!). You know, like this:
blue_gh60_hhkb.jpg
blue_gh60_hhkb.jpg (169.44 KiB) Viewed 3751 times
I do assume you read all relevant QMK instructions. Ideally, after you 'git clone' QMK and navigate to the 'keymaps/satan' folder, run 'make' and everything works, you do the following:

Code: Select all

$ cd keymaps
$ cp -R sethbc hhkb
$ cd hhkb
You can edit the 'Makefile' in the new created 'hhkb' folder to enable/disable various options (in my case, I disabled 'BACKLIGHT_ENABLE', since I'm not using it). Then, study the 'keymap.c' file you find there, and - if you want - replace it with the one attached in this thread. Note that I removed a backlighting related '#ifdef' conditional, since 1. I'm not using it and 2. I think it was setup wrong (should have been an '#ifndef' instead).

Afterwards, you need to do just:

Code: Select all

$ make KEYMAP=hhkb
... and you'll find a 'satan_hhkb.hex' binary in the main QMK directory, ready to be flashed.

The layout mimics almost exactly HHKB's default layout (including volume up, down and mute etc.), and adds:

- SHIFT+ESC = greve (`) (similar to Poker); due to the split backspace, you can still use SHIFT+~ to get `
- CAPS LOCK = ESC when tapped, or (Left) CTRL when pressed longer or in combination with other key

keymap_satan_hhkb.zip
(1.38 KiB) Downloaded 288 times

dede4metal

27 Oct 2016, 12:35

Interesting, if I wanted to build something like an HHKB clone with Cherry MX where should I have a look to buy stuff, aliexpress?

User avatar
Laser
emacs -nw

27 Oct 2016, 13:03

Hi,

In general, any GH60-based project (or derivative) PCB would do, since these boards usually support a large number of layouts/arrangements (HHKB included) and there are a number of places from where you can buy such a PCB. I think the hardest to find is a plate in that HHKB layout. Normally LeandreN periodically runs groupbuys that include these type of plates. Right now it's a bad timing (his 5th GB just closed), unless you either persuade him to enter "late" or persuade somebody else to sell you such a plate.

As for plastic or aluminum cases, maybe a PCB ("Satan" is a so-called GH60 derivative that works using QMK firmware, based on Hasu's TMK) and cheaper keycaps, yes, you can use aliexpress. I doubt they have plates in HHKB layout, but I didn't check, so who knows.

User avatar
Hypersphere

27 Oct 2016, 20:10

I got mine pre-assembled from eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HHKB-Mechanical ... 2242651210
sat-hhkb.jpg
sat-hhkb.jpg (32.08 KiB) Viewed 3590 times
I choose Gateron Yellow switches, which are the only Cherry mx or Cherry mx clone switches I have liked. Although I would much prefer Topre, IBM Model F, or blue Alps switches, I sometimes use the Sat60 HHKB keyboard, because my favorite form factor is 60% and my favorite layout is HHKB.

Although it was fun to have replica HHKB keycaps, I replaced them with another set that was more to my liking.

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